THE BOOK OF SAMSON - Linda Park

SCARRED - Kim McCusker

VUYO’S - Miles Kubheka

Quick Overview

Turning a TV advert into a real business, the lessons learned.

Many South Africans became familiar with the phrase, ‘Ooh Vuyo – he’s such a big big dreamer’ from the TV beer commercial that told a rags-to-riches story about an entrepreneur who starts a business selling boerewors rolls and grows it into a successful multinational business.

Wondering whether it was a true tale, Miles Kubheka did some research. When he discovered that Vuyo was a fictitious character, he saw a gap in the market for developing an exciting business model.

Moving from his solid IT background into the food business was a major change for Miles, but he took the plunge into an industry he knew nothing about. One step at a time, building on experience often learned from past failures, and with more than a little flair, he created a successful food business.

He told his story to anyone who would listen and in time found himself being asked to give motivational talks, initially to groups of students. But the word spread, people were inspired by his story. Before he knew it, Miles was sharing his insights at global platforms such as TEDx and to large audiences at corporate conferences.

This book is not a ‘recipe for success’. It is rather many recipes which Miles shares with an enthusiasm that will encourage and inspire budding young entrepreneurs to achieve their own dreams of business success.

Miles Kubheka is a sought after public speaker and successful entrepreneur who empowers others to find success. The IT graduate turned gastronomist is the founder, owner, and believer behind the renowned Vuyo’s brand, as well as being an inspiration to the ordinary South African who dreams of making it big.

Miles has an undergraduate degree in commerce from Wits University, a post-graduate diploma in business management from the Gordon Institute of Business Science and a master’s degree in Business from Wits Business School. He is also a member of Endeavor South Africa and a former student of the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship.

Before becoming ‘Vuyo’, Miles worked for seven years in various roles at Microsoft and then went on to co-found and manage an IT software solutions company.

Miles lives in Johannesburg where he cooks and eats good food, spends time with his adorable seven-year-old son, and stays up late plotting how best to change the world.